10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Father Brown's Ruby-May Martinwood's career from gritty Tom Hardy drama to Death in Paradise role
Father Brown's Ruby-May Martinwood's career from gritty Tom Hardy drama to Death in Paradise role
Ruby-May Martinwood has been part of Father Brown since 2022
Ruby-May Martinwood, who first made her mark in BBC's Father Brown back in 2022, has been a regular fixture on the show ever since.
She portrays Brenda Palmer, Father Brown's housekeeper, who has had a turbulent past involving petty crime and time spent in a borstal.
Brenda initially appeared in season nine as a murder suspect, but Father Brown uncovered the true perpetrator.
In season 10, Brenda became a main cast member, with Martinwood featuring prominently in most episodes.
Fans of Father Brown are eager to learn more about Martinwood's other work, reports Gloucestershire Live.
From the tender age of five, she was part of the Hype Dance Company and later studied acting at the renowned Nottingham Television Workshop, which boasts alumni such as Samantha Morton, Line of Duty's Vicky McClure, and Felicity Jones.
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Brenda Palmer has been part of Father Brown since 2022
(Image: BBC )
Martinwood also honed her musical theatre skills at Bird College.
Her first significant role was in the BBC and FX's dark period drama Taboo, where she played street urchin Winter alongside Tom Hardy's troubled character, James Delaney.
Unfortunately, Winter met a tragic end in Taboo, deeply affecting Delaney.
Her death is expected to have further repercussions in the eagerly awaited second season of Taboo, which is currently in development.
Brenda Palmer had a tough beginning in Father Brown
(Image: BBC )
After her stint on Taboo, Martinwood landed roles in the BBC daytime soap Doctors and the short films Round My Way and Mr Wong's Lullaby.
She also had a guest appearance in the BBC crime drama Death in Paradise, portraying Layla Carpenter alongside Ralf Little as the hypochondriac detective Neville Parker.
In this season 11 episode, Saint Marie's police are called into action when a reggae rap artist is murdered during a soundcheck for a concert.
Martinwood's recent screen time includes the gritty British film RideBy, which presents a harrowing narrative of girl gang conflict.
Ruby-May Martinwood has become a fan-favourite in Father Brown
(Image: BBC )
Looking ahead, Martinwood is set to return to her role as Brenda in the upcoming season 13 of Father Brown, expected to start shooting in the Cotswolds within this year.
Sharing her thoughts about playing Brenda, Martinwood expressed: "What I love most about playing Brenda is she is super down-to-earth, feisty, smarter than she knows, and so incredibly innocent yet always right on the money when it comes to investigating murders."
She added: "Also it's always fun to play character that's a little bit naughty and a little bit of a terror."
Further discussing her character, she notes: "Brenda been through a lot and has quite a lot on her shoulders for how young she is, so it's always nice to show that side of her as well."
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Father Brown is streaming on BBC iPlayer now
